Schweitzer said the Montana economy is one of the nation's fastest growing, with record low unemployment. The state is definitely "open for business," Schweitzer said Thursday.
"Our tax and regulatory environment is good for Montana and we are attracting business to Montana," he told The Associated Press.
Business taxes and income taxes were reduced under past Republican leadership, part of the reason the business climate is so good now, said Senate Minority Leader Corey Stapleton, R-Billings.
"Now everyone accepts (the tax cut) and says it is a good thing," Stapleton said.
Republicans have pushed legislation this session to let power plants circumvent environmental laws and to reduce taxes. The governor said arguments to advance those causes make it sound like Montana is a horrible place to do business.
"It's the same tired rhetoric for the past 20 years," Schweitzer said.
The governor said small tweaks in the regulatory environment are needed to speed permits for major projects. Wholesale changes that gut the system are not needed, he said. Schweitzer said taxes aren't too high to woo companies to Montana.
"Can't we agree Montana is a good place to come and do business?" Schweitzer said. "The economy is hitting on all cylinders."
Stapleton said Republicans need to "make a biq squawk" to push tax relief through the Legislature. And each time they do, the business climate improves, he said.
The Republican said Schweitzer's Department of Revenue is hurting the business climate with its claim that it needs a big increase in staffing to deal with out-of-state cheaters on business taxes.
"That creates a chilling effect," Stapleton said.
The governor said that when he tries to court business for Montana, he sometimes must fight a perception that taxation in the state is excessive.
"I've had it up to here" with political leaders saying the economy in Montana is harmed by regulation and taxes, Schweitzer said.
The governor pointed out that new wind-power projects are bringing money to rural areas, metals mined in Montana fetch high prices and Montanans are employed at record levels.
"What's the problem again? I can't figure," he said. "What I am saying is, please be helpful."
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